New cardinals from Asia. Pope Francis: witnesses of fraternity, communion, unity
During today’s consistory in the Vatican basilica, the pontiff placed the biretta on 21 new cardinals. The College of Cardinals includes 37 from Asia, 25 electors. Archbishop Kikuchi of Tokyo, who chairs Caritas Internationalis, received the title of a suburban Roman church. Indian PM Modi sent an official delegation for the new Cardinal Koovakad. Francis will travel to India only after 2025, says Minister Kurian.
Vatican City (AsiaNews) – Pope Francis created 21 new cardinals this afternoon in the consistory he presided over in the Vatican Basilica. In his homily, the pontiff said: “Adventures on the way, the joy of meeting others, care for those most in need: these things should inspire your service as Cardinals.”
Four are from the Churches of Asia: Archbishop Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi of Tokyo, Bishop Pablo Virgilio David of Kalookan (Philippines), Archbishop Dominique Joseph Mathieu of Tehran-Isfahan of the Latins, and George Jacob Koovakad (Syro-Malabar), Titular Archbishop of Nisibis of the Chaldeans, a close aide to the pontiff and organiser of papal journeys.
One by one the pope placed on them the red biretta and handed over the cardinal's ring in front of the Altar of Confession.
“The very word ‘Cardinal’ reminds us of this, as it refers to the hinge (cardo in Latin) inserted in order to secure, support and reinforce a door. Dear brothers: Jesus is our true support, the ‘centre of gravity’ of our service, the ‘cardinal point’ which gives direction to our entire life.”
“For this reason,” Francis added, “the Lord is looking to you, who come from different backgrounds and cultures, and represent the catholicity of the Church. He is calling you to be witnesses of fraternity, artisans of communion and builders of unity. This is your mission!”
With the those created today, the College of Cardinals now numbers 253, 37 from Asia, 25 electors.
During the consistory, the new cardinals were given titles and deaconries, that is, the churches of Rome assigned to them, since, according to tradition, the cardinals also assist the pope in the leadership of the Church of the city.
The archbishop of Tokyo Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi, who chairs Caritas Internationalis, was awarded the title of the Parish of San Giovanni Leonardi in Torre Maura, a Roman suburb.
The president of the Philippine Bishops' Conference, Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, was given the Church of the Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Janiculum district.
Archbishop Dominique Joseph Mathieu of Tehran-Ispahan of the Latins was awarded the title of the Church of Saint Jeanne-Antide Thouret, whose nuns are present in various countries of the Middle East and in Pakistan.
Titular Archbishop George Jacob Koovakad from India received the deaconry of the parish of St Anthony of Padua on the Appian Ring Road.
In honour of the new cardinal from Kerala, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent a high-level delegation to the ceremony. Led by Union Minister George Kurian, who, like the new cardinal, is a Syro-Malabar Christian, the group of seven dignitaries included former minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Lok Sabha Member Kodikunnil Suresh (Indian National Congress), Rajya Sabha Member Satnam Singh Sandhu, BJP leader Anil Antony, former Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) chief Anoop Antony Joseph, and BJP national spokesperson Tom Vadakkan.
On the sidelines of the consistory, Minister Kurian said that Prime Minister Modi officially invited the pope to visit India. “Based on the information received, Pope Francis is expected to visit India after the Jubilee Year. We hope his visit will happen at the earliest,” he said.
(Nirmala Carvalho contributed to this article)
ECCLESIA IN ASIA IS THE ASIANEWS NEWSLETTER DEDICATED TO CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES IN ASIA. WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE IT EVERY SUNDAY? TO SUBSCRIBE, CLICK HERE.
.png)
29/11/2020 13:15
30/08/2022 17:09
25/10/2020 13:21
